Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-30

THE gale has blown over and no one
is hurt. The partisan leaders of the
Republican party tried to raise tre-
menduous breeze in regard to the or
der of the president to distribute the
flags which were captured in the recent
civil war. There was certainly never
a more palpable exhibition of the bun
combe used by that party than this.
Admitting, for the sake of an argu-
ment, that the order was wrong in
spirit, who is to blame? A prominent
Grand Army man and Republican first
suggested it, and the president, in a
spirit of generosity and magnanimity,
yielded to his suggestion. After duly
considering the matter, he afterwards
decided that such an order should orig
| mate with Congress and not with the
chief executive. That is the whole
matter stated concisely and truly.
When the president made the order, he
was but following the teaching of
| Charles Sumner and Horace Greeley,
who years ago taught the people that
every symbol which would serve to re-
call the bitter feelings which brought
our fraternal strife, should be removed
from public gaze. The man who first
suggested the distribution, was as
brave man as ever wore the blue, and
we will venture the assertion that he
is the superior of any man who ira
duces him for this act, both in bravery
and patriotism. The president, proba-
bly,, acted hastily in making the order,
for he was, probably, trenching on
ground which belongs to Congress
| when he did. But whatever his fault
might have been in this respect, it was
more than outballanced by his manly
order resembling the former, when he
had properly considered the matter.
So far as hurting President Cleveland
| is concerned, this act will benefit him.
1t viii show that his friends have not
overestimated his qualities when they
claim that he is honest and brave.
ONSE III IL III Jul
course with men, we meet with one of
those despicable characters who is al
ways foremost and active in talking up
schemes of public benefit, but whose
interest and influence never extends as
far as his pocket. AS a general rule
too, he is a man who is more greatly
benefited by the proposed enterprise
than any one else. While we deplore
the existence of such people in our
midst, and would like to disfranchise
them from any voice in public affairs
or any benefits resulting therefrom, we
don't see that we can do better than go
right ahead and do what in our judg-
ment is best for the community, re-
gardless of whether the few persons
in question do their proportionate
share or not.
THE legislature of New York has set
very sensiblee xample which should be
speedily followed by the other states of
the Union. The act alluded to is in
regard to the heating of passenger
coaches on railways. 1t provides that
after May, 1888, stoves shall no longer
be used by any of the roads in that
state. AS every one who has investi-
gated the subject knows the most seri-
GUS results in case of railway accidents
are usually directly from fires originat-
ing from the stoves. Besides, it has
been demonstrated that coaches can be
warmed much better by steam. 1t is
to be hoped that our next body of solons
will consider this subject.
On WITH the gas-well prospect.
This great, round world of ours is full
of wonders. On its surface we get
bread and meat and drink and raiment,
and from its unknown depths we are
furnished with heat and light. Earth's
store houses are full and we need but
to stretch out our hands and gather in
her treasures. We do not always know
how near to our doors these store
houses are. Let us reach down into
the unknown depths and bring forth
light.
Kansas Patents.